The Politbureau asks you to explain the motives for
your decision in regard to Marchlewski. We are surprised
that you countermand a decision of the Central Committee
all on your own without letting us
know.[1]

Notes

[1]In his reply to Lenin on September 2, 1919, Stalin wired that
on the day of Marchlewski’s arrival to conduct negotiations with
the Lithuanians, the latter suddenly launched an attack.
Obviously, the telegram pointed out, the Lithuanians had used talk about
negotiations as a cover in order to lull the vigilance of the Soviet
Government. Stalin stated that he had not received any decisions
of the Central Committee about conducting negotiations. “Today,”
he wrote further, “our counter-offensive has begun. We have
issued an order to Front Headquarters to heighten vigilance and
not allow any envoys to pass the front line without its
knowledge and consent.”